Mailbox

A round-up of the latest news, gossip and other information from members. Health warning: Anything in this article should not be relied upon as gospel. 

Got something to share? Send it to mailbox@bscw.co.uk

MARKET INFORMATION

It's an unusually quiet month for market information, but whatever information we have is now available on the BSCW web site.

EDINBURGH FRINGE TOUR
From: Paul Gudgin

Fringe Road Show Schedule

Fri 26th Jan        Leeds West Yorkshire Playhouse 10am - 12pm
Fri 26th Jan        Cambridge ADC Theatre 2pm - 5pm
Sat 27th Jan        London Soho Theatre 12.30pm - 3.30pm
Sun 28th Jan        Brighton Komedia 2pm - 4pm
Sat 17th Feb        Edinburgh Traverse Theatre II 11am - 3pm

Organisers of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe have been inundated with New Year requests from members of the public who have decided that 2001 is the year for them to hit the big time. Everyone from Supreme Court officials to American teachers, fancying themselves as the next Frank Skinner or French & Saunders, have bombarded the Fringe with over 300 requests for information. The number of visitors to the Fringe website - www.edfringe.com - is also up by 230% on last year.

To cope with the demand, organisers plan a free UK roadshow to meet budding performers and theatre companies over the next few weeks. Experts will be on hand to talk through the hurdles people will need to overcome to stake their claim for stardom at the world's largest arts festival, which runs from 5 -27 August 2001, such as finding a venue and organising publicity. Cities already confirmed include Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Fringe Director, Paul Gudgin, said: "We're truly overwhelmed. With Fringe hits like the League of Gentlemen and the Fast Show becoming TV comedy favourites, and with rising stars like Billy Elliott's Jamie Bell boasting their beginnings at the Fringe, people sit up and take notice of the fact that Edinburgh is the place to make their debut.

The Fringe is a completely open festival, in which anyone can take part, so if anyone would like more information or want to attend our roadshow, they can call us on 0131 226 5257 or check out our website: www.edfringe.com.


SITCOM TRIALS - PITCH FEST
From: Kev F Sutherland

THE PITCH FEST

The Sitcom Trials, the comedy show which presents new sitcoms and lets the viewers decide which, if any, should be seen again, introduced a new feature in its line up for our previous show - The Pitch Fest.

The audience were invited to see if they could do better than the comedies they were watching by pitching, in one line, an idea for a sitcom.

Here were some of the best:

Khmer In The Community - Pol Pot is a social worker in Neasden (winner)
Bob The Builder - cannibals play a Halloween game with workmen
Kiss Me Crate - a man enjoys sexual relations with a box
Mussolini's Eenie Muscles - Fascist dictator struggles to get fit
Wanker! starring Lloyd Grossman
Plankton Massive - about a family of plankton
A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush - starring Monica Lewinsky
Sitting On The Cock Of Will Hay - starring Hilda Baker
Colon Occupants of Interplantery Craft
Camp Concentration
Stick That In Your Pope and Smoke It
Look Back In Ongar
Bring It Bach
The Great Escallope
Waiting For Go.Dot.Com

The Sitcom Trials take place at The Comedy Pub, 7 Oxendon St, London SW1. The next show is on Monday Feb 12th 2001.

Details at http://www.sitsvac.org
Recorded for webcast by British Web Broadcasting http://bwebb.tv